World News Summary 3 July 2009
Joint efforts to combat Asian sex trafficking
Police officials from Asia and Australia are joining forces to target the trafficking of sex slaves. Information that has been released shows how women, often teenagers, are brought to Australia from South East Asia under the influence of drugs or abused to the point where they cannot fight back. Investigations have shown the trafficking is believed to be far more organised than police first thought. During a collaborative meeting, which took place in Sydney, it was agreed that efforts to defeat the gangs behind the trafficking will intensify with the creation of specialised policing units.
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Louisiana to be submerged by 2100
A study has warned that by the year 2100 between 10,000 and 13,500 square kilometres of coastal land around New Orleans could potentially be submerged. Scientists say that due to the combination of subsidence and rising sea levels, areas of Louisiana could be under water by the turn of the next century. Currently the rise in sea level is increasing more than the sediment deposit levels in the Mississippi delta, which will eventually cause the drowning of its surrounding coastal areas. The report also suggested that due to the effect of climate change, the same area will see an increase in the intensity of hurricanes.
Combating climate change with algae
A Chinese firm has announced ambitious plans to breed algae with the hope of absorbing carbon emissions. The algae will be kept in tubes and stored in greenhouses while tests are carried out by the scientists at the ENN research campus. Using coal to produce 70% of its power, China is the world’s biggest emitter of harmful greenhouse gases. Currently there is no profitable method to capture carbon dioxide but the algae can absorb carbon at a far quicker rate than trees. At present different species of algae are being tested in hope of finding one fitting all the criteria.
Recommended discharge for gay solider
A US military panel has recommended that a publicly gay solider – an Arabic linguist and Iraq veteran - should be discharged. This has come as a consequence of declaring on television that he was gay. In 1993 Bill Clinton introduced a compromise with the US military leaders by implementing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in the hope of opening the army up to gay cadets. Lieutenant Dan Choi will receive an honourable discharge in recognition of his time in service and will also be eligible for the same financial benefits as his peers will be.
Gervais and Anderson team up to combat bullfighting
The comedian and actor Ricky Gervais has made an unlikely paring with Baywatch favourite Pamela Anderson in the fight against bullfighting. The pair are hoping to deliver the death blow and bring the campaign to victory. Gervais has been a keen supporter for animal rights for several years, showing his dedication through petitions and playing benefit gigs to raise money and awareness for his causes. Both Gervais and Anderson feel strongly against using an animal’s death for entertainment purposes and hope to end the activities in the near future.
Exclusion zone for rare humpback whale
A rare white humpback whale has appeared off the east coast of Australia. The authorities have warned the public to keep their distance from the unique whale as the start of the mating season begins. Officials in Queensland have declared the whale special interest putting a 500m ban around him. A fine of $13,500 (£8,000) has been set if the ban is broken, which includes all marine vehicles. Professor Peter Harrison of the South Cross University Whale Research Centre said the whale was first spotted back in 1991 and is the only known one of its kind.
US forces pull out of Iraq
Power has been transferred back to the Iraqi soldiers as the US military moves out. In recognition of the power transfer Iraq held its first military parade since Saddam Hussein was its leader. The Iraqi government have named Tuesday 30 June as its ‘National Sovereignty Day’. This power transfer will see the US military take on a more supporting role and the soldiers will have to wait to be invited or ask permission to go on combat missions in the country.
Greece to quit smoking
With 40% of the population admitting to smoking, Greece is the EU’s heaviest smoking nation. To encourage the smokers to kick the habit a ban on smoking has been introduced in hospitals, schools, vehicles and all other public places. Anyone caught breaking this new law will face fines of €500 (£428). If a business has several offences they will risk losing their license. A choice has been offered to cafe and restaurants premises of 70 square meters: they can either follow the smoking ban or only admit patrons that smoke. Whereas larger establishments can have smoking areas if well ventilated.
Female fertility ‘fingerprint’ discovered
In the next few years women will be able to access their fertility ‘fingerprint’ just by having a blood test. This revolutionary test has the potential to save the government and families from spending thousands of pounds on IVF treatments. Research is still in the early stages but scientists have uncovered genetic markers in the blood forming a ‘fertility fingerprint’. The markers showed different levels of activity, which they say can be directly linked to whether the IVF treatment was successful. This test is hoped to help women and their families in the hugely emotional decision of taking further IVF treatments.
Heatwave kills two police dogs
With reports of the heatwave continuing and temperatures set to rise in some parts of the UK public health warnings have been issued and the NHS prepped, but people aren’t the only vulnerable ones in the heat. Two police dogs were found dead in a hot vehicle located outside of Nottinghamshire police headquarters on 30 July. RSPCA officers were called to the scene and found two German Shepherd police dogs dead. The police said it is working with an independent vet and the RSPCA to determine the cause of death.
Wan Jianguo dies in police custody
Coercing for a confession was made illegal in 1979, but in 2009 there is still strong evidence of torturing a person to the point of confession. Mr Wan Jianguo, a Chinese salesman working in the pharmaceuticals industry, was arrested under suspicion of dealing in tainted medication. After a month of being in police custody his corpse was carried out covered with marks, bruises and electric shock scarring. Prosecutors say Wan died as a result of severe beating that resulted in damage to his heart and lungs. Wans wife says she has nothing to live for expect stopping this from happening to anyone else.
Game show prizes to find God
The latest in Turkish television entertainment is a game show with its contestants winning by finding God. In an effort to educate the mainly Muslim Turkish population, TV producers have commissioned the latest in ‘interactive education’. There are 10 fully Atheist contestants, a Greek Orthodox priest, a Rabbi, a Muslim Inam and a Buddhist monk. The aim of the game is to truly turn one of the Atheist contestants and affirm their new faith in God. The winning contestant wins a pilgrimage to the spiritual home of their newly chosen creed. Controversy has formed surrounding the game show with criticism towards the programme makers for trivialising God.
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